Taming Your Toy Collection

It's a topic we have to come back to again and again because a home with kids will always have toy "build-up." The most important thing is to have some strategy for dealing with it. We found a few fresh ideas...

• Rotate the Toys! This has been working well for us so far. Our daughter seems delighted with her "rediscovery" of an old toy in another bin. Even we feel excited to see something new after a few weeks of watching her play with the same things. Another thing to do is rotate the toys you use in the diaper bag or car.

• Storage. Of course we devote whole contests to that category here at Ohdeedoh, but think simple and limited. A few baskets- one with books, one with soft toys, and another with misc. will work well.

• The Relative Challenge- as Passionate Homemaking puts it- is a tough one. You'll most likely have to graciously accept the toys. Let the child play with it until they're tired of it, and then pass it on or donate it.